Device for monitoring maintenance and adjustment of pressure in a tyre

ABSTRACT

Device for monitoring, maintenance and/or adjustment of pressure in a tire. The device consisting of the chamber ( 1 ) with shape memory deformable for the period of application of external mechanical forces when the tire rolls on the road surface, connected valve ( 3 ) with the inside space ( 6 ) of the tire ( 2 ) and valve ( 4 ) with the outside environment ( 5 ) according to the invention is based on the principle, that at least one wall of the chamber ( 1 ) is adjacent to the inside wall of the tire ( 2 ) or is a part of the inside wall of the tire ( 2 ). Further device operating on the peristaltic pump principle consisting of the chamber, which is deformable up to the zero cross section according to the invention is based on the principle, that at least one chamber ( 1 ) with block ( 10 ) with shape memory is freely open at one end and equipped with at least one valve at the other end or next to it. The minimum volume of the part of the chamber ( 1 ) at the end equipped with the internal valve ( 3 ) or external valve ( 4 ) is from 1 to 80% of the total maximum volume of the chamber ( 1 ).

RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention deals with monitoring, maintenance and adjustment ofpressure in a tire in dependence on current or long-term way of itsusage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tires are usually inflated with gas when the vehicle is stopped, byexternal compressors and pumps nowadays. These inflation methods aretime consuming and require periodical checks of pressure, which theusers often fail to observe.

These methods moreover do not ensure optimum inflation of a tire in asituation when the current driving manners differ from the manner thetire was originally inflated for. This affects either the tire itself byextensive wear, or safety, as the tire is not always able to perform asit should e.g. as a result of lower pressure to road surface. Theeconomical point of view is also significant. A badly inflated tire hashigher rolling resistance, which increases fuel consumption.

Another method of inflating tires is based on inflating during drivingby compressors located in the vehicle. This solution is relativelycomplicated, it requires a compressor in the vehicle, and transfer ofcompressed air to the rotating wheel is also complicated.

From the American U.S. Pat. No. 4,432,405 we know a device for pumpingtires during driving, consisting of a temporarily deformable bellow, orsay a cuff attached to a tire from the outside. The bellow is connectedwith the inside with a hose equipped with a valve and the second valveconnects it with outside environment with atmospheric pressure. Thisdevice is attached to the tire with a belt, which is not very convenientand may threaten the traffic safety.

The Russian patent 2106978 presents a device for automatic pumping(inflation) of tires. The device working on the principle of peristalticpump consists of a deformable chamber inside a tire in the casing ornext to the inside wall of the tire on the wall of the tire tube.Deformation of the chamber is caused by rolling of the tire on the roadsurface. One end of the chamber is connected with the outsideenvironment via a pressure regulator-a hose which shrinks and getsclosed at particular ambient pressure, and the second end of the chamberis connected to the inside of the tire via a one-way valve. Thedescribed pressure regulator works in principle as a double-way valve.If the pressure in the tire the shrinkable hose connecting thedeformable chamber with the outside environment goes through is lowerthan the critical value of the shrinkable hose is, the gas passes freelythrough the shrinkable hose in both directions. When the pressure insidethe tire exceeds the critical value of the shrinkable hose, this deformsand does no longer enable the chamber to suck gas from the outsideenvironment. On the other end of the deformable chamber there is a valveconnecting the chamber with the outside environment of the tire andletting the gas flow from the chamber to the tire only, if the pressureinside the chamber exceeds the pressure inside the tire. When the tireis rolling the part of the chamber originally deformed returns to itsoriginal position and sucks the air from the outside environment throughthe shrinkable hose until it is deformed and closed by predefinedpressure in the inside space of the tire. No further air is sucked andthe device does not pump the tire until the inside pressure drops underpredefined value. Manufacturing of the shrinkable hose and adjustment ofthe moment of its deformation and thus the maximum pressure in thechamber is technologically demanding.

If the pressure in the tire does not reach the value necessary forinflation of the tire until the end of the working cycle and theshrinkable hose connecting the deformable hose with the outsideenvironment is not closed, the whole inside of the deformable hose isconnected with the outside atmosphere before the start of a new cycle,so the pressure inside the whole hose drops to the value of atmosphericpressure. The chamber then starts each cycle repeatedly with just theatmospheric pressure of the outside environment.

Another Russian patent application 94031574 A1 describes a hose-shapedelastic chamber located on the inside wall of the wheel rim axially withthe wheel outside the tire. A thrust pulley moves along the hose, whichgradually presses the air into the inside of the tire via a non-returnvalve and also to an additional hose-an appendix, similarly to theperistaltic pump. The other end of the hose sucks the air from theoutside until the sucking hole gets closed by the expanded appendix.

The device is relatively complicated.

The patents U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,922,984 and 5,052,456 describe devices forinflating and deflating of a rotating tire consisting of a deformablehose attached to the tire, while the hose at least partly copies thetire circumference. The deformable hose is located outside the tire, forexample on the wheel rim, or inside the tire on a special holder. In thefirst instance, a pulley rolls on the deformable hose, in the latter thehose is pressed between the holder and the tire inside wall as a resultof movement of the tire on a road. One end of the hose is open to theatmosphere and the other is connected to the inside of the tire througha one-way valve. Deflation of the tire is ensured by a mechanicalfactor, which when activated opens the above-mentioned one-way valve forthe period of each revolution and deflates the tire.

A chamber designed this way, with just one non-return valve, like thepatent RU 2106978 does not enable cumulating of gas in the chamber formore cycles.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above disadvantages are removed by the device for monitoring,maintenance and adjustment of pressure in a tire consisting of a chamberwith shape memory, deformable in volume for the period of application ofoutside mechanical forces by rolling the tire on a road surface,connected with at least one one-way valve with the inside space of thetire, and at least by one one-way valve with the outside environment,which is based on the invention that at least one wall of the chamberneighbors with the inside wall of the tire or is a part of the side ofthe tire.

The length of the chamber is advantageously bigger than the length ofthe optimum contact area of the tire with road surface.

The chamber may consist of at least two independent and mutuallyinterconnected spaces arranged symmetrically on the opposite sidewallsof the tire.

Further device for monitoring, maintenance and adjustment of pressure ina tire working on the principle of peristaltic pump, consisting of achamber with shape memory deformable in volume for the period ofapplication of outside mechanical forces by rolling the tire on a roadsurface, having lengthwise shape at least partly copying the tire caseshape, connected with the inside space of the tire and the outsideenvironment, at least one wall of which neighbors with the tire wall oris its part, while a part of the chamber is deformable up to zero extentof the chamber cross section, is according to the invention based on thefact that at least one chamber with block with shape memory is freelyopen at one end and fitted with at least one valve at the other end,while a part of the chamber with block is deformable up to the zerocross section of the chamber.

The chamber of such a device is equipped with at least one internalvalve connecting the chamber with the inside space of the tire or atleast one outside valve connecting the chamber with the outsideenvironment.

The minimum volume of the part of the chamber (1) at the end equippedwith the internal valve (3) or external valve (4) is from 1 to 80% ofthe total maximum volume of the chamber (1).

Part of the chamber is located outside the application of externalforces deforming the chamber up to the zero cross section of thechamber.

The device has the advantage to contain at least one first sensor chosenfrom the group consisting of a tire press sensor, a tire profile sensor,a chamber profile sensor, a chamber volume sensor, a sensor ofdifference between the pressure inside the chamber and the tire insidespace pressure, or a sensor of the difference between pressures insidethe chamber and the outside environment pressure, and possibly at leastone second sensor chosen from the group consisting of a tire velocitysensor or a tire acceleration sensor.

The internal valve and/or the external valve are interconnected with acontrol connected to the first sensor and/or the second sensor.

The chamber is periodically pressed when the wheel rolls on the road andit causes higher pressure inside the chamber than inside space of thetire followed by lower pressure than in outside environment of the tire.In co-operation with the valves possibly controlled by the control uponinformation gained from the sensors the air moves between all thesespaces and the tire gets inflated.

With the device operating on the principle of peristaltic pump themechanical forces generated when the tire rolls on the road surfacedeform a part of the chamber up to the zero cross section. The volumeclosed in the chamber before that gets smaller. The part of the chamberto which the mechanical force Fe does not apply or stops applying getsthanks to the block with shape memory back fully or partly to the shapebefore application of force Fe. The inside space of the chamber beforethe zero cross section is connected with the inside space of the tirethrough an internal valve, which lets the medium inside the tire andinflates it after reaching overpressure in the chamber.

If the chamber is equipped with an external valve at the connection ofthe chamber and the outside environment, and is freely open to theinside space of the tire, the place of application of Fe on the chamberwalls shifts in the direction from the external valve connecting thechamber with the outside environment to the free connection of the otherpart of the chamber with the inside space of the tire. The volume of thepart of the chamber after the zero cross section expands and is filledwith the medium from the outside environment through the valve.

After fade out of the force Fe applied on the chamber and closing theexternal valve the pressures inside the chamber and inside space of thetire gets balanced. The total pressure inside space of the tireincreases.

The pressure in the chamber rises geometrically. Rapidly growingpressure might damage the chamber.

This may be prevented by making a chamber, which is not deformable byexternal forces at the end equipped with the internal or external valveup to the zero cross section of the chamber. The minimum volume of thispart of this chamber is from 1 to 80% of the total maximum volume of thechamber (1).

The growth of pressure in the chamber over the critical value may thenbe prevented or the maximum compression may be limited by locating apart of the chamber outside the application point of the external forcesFe.

The device according to the invention has an advantage, that it exploitsa part of the energy consumed by an under-inflated tire for getting overhigher rolling resistance of an under-inflated tire to partial or fullremoval of this state and inflation of the tire.

The device has a simple design and is placed inside a tire, where itworks without requirements for energy supply, without need of biggerspace. No special treatment of wheel rims is necessary for its functionand installation.

The device reduces or completely eliminates the need of manual check andtire pressure adjustment or its initialization by an operator ofautomated check and inflation The device adjusts the pressure in a tireduring its operation, which reduces or fully eliminates the time andwork consumption spent on manual or automated inflation from externalpumps and compressors.

One of the variants of the device is able to monitor the driving styleand adjust the optimum tire pressure by means of controls. The devicereduces fuel consumption, increases safety and extends the tire life.

The device based on the peristaltic pump has only one valve, which issimple from the design point of view. The valve position may be moreoversimilar to that of an external valve, which is a part of a common tirenow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. a) shows an unloaded tire in cross section and profile, wherethe chamber connected through a one-way internal valve with the insidespace of the tire and through a one-way external valve with the outsideenvironment is located inside the tire next to the tire tread.

FIG. 1. b) shows an unloaded tire in cross section, where the chamber islocated inside the tire, next to its sidewall.

FIG. 2. a) shows a loaded tire in cross section and profile, where thechamber is located inside the tire next to the tire tread. The chambervolume is made smaller by the tire deformation.

FIG. 2. b) shows a loaded tire in cross section, where the chamber islocated inside the tire next to the tire sidewall. The chamber volume ismade smaller by the tire deformation.

On FIG. 3. a broken line shows penetration of gas through the internalvalve from the chamber to the inside space of the tire.

On FIG. 4. a broken line shows penetration of gas through the externalvalve from the outside environment to the chamber.

On FIG. 5. a broken line shows penetration of gas through the thirdvalve from the tire to the outside environment.

FIG. 6. shows a cross section of a tire with the first and secondsensors placed next to the wheel rim. Both-sided arrows show transfer ofinformation to the computer.

FIGS. 7. a)-d) show the individual function phases of the chamberconnected by an external valve with the outside environment and freelyconnected with the inside space of the tire.

FIGS. 8. a)-d) show the individual function phases of the chamberconnected by an internal valve with the inside space of the tire andfreely connected with the outside environment.

FIGS. 9. a)-d) show a cross section of a tire and the chamber connectedby an external valve with the outside environment and freely connectedwith the inside space of the tire in different phases of tire rotation.

FIGS. 10. a)-c) show the individual function phases of the chamberconnected by an internal valve with the inside space of the tire andfreely connected with the outside environment, while a part of thechamber marked Nk is not deformable by force Fe.

FIGS. 11. a)-d) show the function phases of the chamber in various viewsconnected by an internal valve with the inside space of the tire andincluding channel K.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION EXAMPLE 1

FIG. 1. a) shows a tire 2, fitted with the device for monitoring,maintenance and adjustment of pressure in the tire 2. The deviceconsists of a chamber 1, one wall of which is a part of the wall of thetire 2 tread, while the chamber 1 is connected through one internalvalve 3 to the inside space 6 of the tire 2, it is then connected withone external valve 4 with the outside environment 5.

The chamber 1 volume is at its maximum at the moment when no loaddeforming the tire 2 caused by rolling of the tire 2 is applied. Thechamber 1 is filled by the air from the outside environment 5 throughthe external valve 4.

When the tire 2 starts rolling on the road and is deformed at the placewhere the chamber 1 is located, higher pressure is generated in thechamber 1 than in the inside space 6 of the tire 2. The chamber 1 volumeis reduced. The pressure is defined by unloaded volume of the chamber 1or its part and volume of chamber 1 or its part when loaded, multipliedby the pressure of the outside environment 5, from which the chamber 1is filled. If the pressure in the chamber 1 is higher than in the insidespace 6 of the tire 2, by opening of the internal valve 3 the pressuresin the chamber 1 is balanced with that in the inside space 6 of the tire2. The pressure in the inside space 6 of the tire 2 gets proportionallyhigher.

During the decrease of loading deformation of the tire 2 at a placeadjacent to the chamber 1 the chamber 1 returns to the original volume,the pressure in the chamber 1 is lower than it was in the chamber 1without load, i. e. lower than the outside environment 5 pressure. Byopening the external valve 4 the pressure in the chamber 1 gets balancedwith that of the outside environment 5.

The chamber 1 may also be designed in the tire 2 casing so that unlikein FIG. 1 the chamber 1 volume is at its minimum at the moment when noload deformation of the tire 2 caused by rolling of the tire 2 isapplied, and the volume of chamber 1 gets higher as a result ofmechanical load and deformation of the tire 2 at the place adjacent tothe chamber 1 wall. Lower pressure than in the outside environment 5appears in the chamber 1. By opening the external valve 4 the pressurein the chamber 1 is balanced with the pressure in the outsideenvironment 5. During decrease of load deformation of the tire 2 in theplace adjacent to the chamber 1 the chamber 1 returns to its originalvolume, pressure higher than in the inside space 6 of the tire 2 occursin the chamber 1 given by the volume of the chamber 1 or its part at theload and the volume of the chamber 1 or its part after the load and thepressure of the outside environment 5, from where the chamber 1 isfilled. By opening the internal valve 3 the pressure in the inside space6 of the tire 2 gets proportionally higher and the pressure in thechamber 1 balances with that in the inside space 6 of the tire 2.

As the external valve 4 is a one-way type, the pressure inside thechamber 1 is not balanced with the atmospheric pressure of the outsideenvironment 5 at each cycle. All the amount of air sucked through theexternal valve 4, which was not compressed to the inside space 6 of thetire 2 through the internal valve 3 during the cycle stays inside thechamber 1.

EXAMPLE 2

FIG. 1. b) shows a tire 2, fitted with the device for monitoring,maintenance and adjustment of pressure in the tire 2. The deviceconsists of a chamber 1 located in the case at the side of the tire 2.The chamber 1 is connected with the inside space 6 of the tire 2 throughone internal valve 3, with the outside environment 5 through oneexternal valve 4 and the inside space 6 of the tire 2 is connected withthe outside environment 5 through the third valve 7. The tire 2 deformedby the load is shown in FIG. 3. The pressure inside the chamber 1 ishigher than inside space 6 the tire 2, the internal valve 3 is open andthe gas from the chamber 1 flows to the inside space 6 of the tire 2.The gas flow direction is indicated by a broken arrow.

The tire 2 during finishing the load deformation or after the loaddeformation is shown in FIG. 4.

The external valve 4 is open and the gas from the outside environment 5flows to the chamber 1. The gas flow direction is indicated by a brokenarrow.

The third valve 7 serves for deflating the tire 2 in case ofoverpressure in the tire 2, as shown in FIG. 5. The third valve 7 isopen and the air from the inside space 6 of the tire 2 flows to theoutside environment 5. The gas flow direction is indicated by a brokenarrow.

EXAMPLE 3

A convenient situation is, when the chamber 1 is longer then the lengthof the optimum contact surface of the tire 2, e. g. the length of thechamber 1 is a half of the tire 2 perimeter.

The chamber 1 is divided during the load deformation into two parts, thefirst one, where the load deformation has already occurred, and thesecond one, where the deformation is just under way. The walls of thechamber 1 are pressed hermetically to each other during the course ofthe load deformation of both the above parts of the chamber 1 andcompressed gas is accumulated in the second part of the chamber 1. Thegas pressure in the second part of the chamber 1, where the hermeticcontact has not occurred yet increases proportionally to the decrease ofthe volume of the part of the chamber 1.

A chamber 1 designed this way prevents accidental or inconvenientinflation of the inside space 6 of the tire 2 if the load deformation iscaused e. g. by a stone.

Suitable length and-suitable profile of the chamber 1 ensures, that thechamber 1 increases the pressure in the inside space 6 of the tire 2 ifthe load deformation corresponds to the under-inflated tire, and that itruns along the predetermined length of the tire 2 perimeter and is atleast sufficient to form hermetic contact of the opposite walls of thechamber 1 along the predetermined length.

EXAMPLE 4

The tire 2 contents the chamber 1, internal valve 3, external valve 4,inside space 6 of the tire 2 and the third valve 7. It is then equippedby the first pressure sensor 8 (FIG. 6) and is surrounded by outsideenvironment 5. The tire 2 is over-inflated. Upon the information fromthe first pressure sensor 8 the control regulates the third valve 7connecting the inside space 6 of the tire 2 with the outside environment5. The control evaluates the pressure in the inside space 6 of the tire2 as a value exceeding the pressure limit pre-defined to the pressuresensor 8 and opens the third valve 7 connecting the inside space 6 ofthe tire 2 with the outside environment 5. The pressure in the insidespace 6 of the tire 2 decreases until the moment when the first sensor 8reaches the pre-defined limit.

The control closes the third valve 7 connecting the inside space 6 ofthe tire 2 with the outside environment 5.

The first pressure sensor 8 is a pressure gauge, to which the limitvalues of the inside space 6 pressure of the tire 2 are preset. Whenthey are exceeded, the control opens or closes the internal valve 3,external valve 4 and/or the third valve 7.

The first sensor 8 of the tire 2 profile monitors and evaluates thedistance of the first fixed point chosen on the inside of the tire 2tread from another fixed point on the inside of the tire 2, closer tothe axe of rotation of the tire 2. If the measured distance is duringthe course of the load deformation of the tire 2 between the limitspreset to the first profile sensor 8 the control locks the possibilityof opening the third valve 7, the internal valve 3 and the externalvalve 4.

If the distance measured during the course of the load deformation ofthe tire 2 is lower than the lowest limit preset to the first profilesensor 8, the control unlocks the external valve 4 connecting thechamber 1 with the outside environment 5 and simultaneously unlocks theinternal valve 3 connecting the chamber 1 with the inside space 6 of thetire 2. This enables the chamber 1 to operate as described above,ensuring inflation of the inside space 6 of the tire 2.

Increasing pressure causes an increase of the distance between thepoints during the course of the deformation of the tire 2 until themoment when the distance reached the limit value preset to the firstprofile sensor 8. The control then locks the possibility of opening theinternal valve 3 and/or the external valve 4.

The first sensor 8 of the chamber 1 profile monitors e. g. a distancebetween two chosen fixed points on two different walls of the chamber 1and compares them with the limit values pressed to the first profilesensor 8 of the chamber 1.

The first sensor 8 of the chamber 1 volume monitors e. g. a distancebetween two chosen fixed points on two different walls of the chamber 1,the distance of which is proportionate to the chamber 1 volume and thecontrol compares them with limit values pressed to the first volumesensor 8 of the chamber 1.

The first sensor 8 scanning the difference of pressures inside thechamber 1 and in the inside space 6 of the tire 2 and the difference ofpressures inside the chamber 1 and the outside environment 5 may consistof a flexible membrane located in the wall separating the chamber 1 fromthe inside space 6 of the tire 2 or the chamber 1 from the outsideenvironment 5, the camber of which is proportionate to the difference ofpressures between the adjacent spaces. The control compares cambers withthe limit values preset to the first pressure difference sensor 8.

EXAMPLE 5

The tire 2 contents the chamber 1, internal valve 3, external valve 4,inside space 6 of the tire 2 and the third valve 7. It is then equippedwith the first sensors 8 and the second sensors 9 monitoring velocity ofthe tire 2 and/or winding of the tire 2 shown in FIG. 6. The tire 2profile changes during driving, depending on the vehicle weight, speedand direction. If we want to grasp these effects and eliminate e. g.over-inflation of the tire 2 during turning, when the profile sensor 8may indicate under-inflation and the control tries to inflate the tire 2although it is not under-inflated, however the data received from thesecond sensor 9 prevent the inflation.

The second sensor 9 may then be used for increasing the pressure value,if the second sensor 9 of velocity scans higher speed or higher averagespeed of the vehicle and shifts the limit inflation value of the firstsensor 8 of tire 2 pressure to higher level, recommended for theparticular driving style. Similarly, when the vehicle slows down thecontrol in co-operation with the second sensor 9 of velocity maydecrease the pressure value preset in the first sensor 8.

The second sensor 9 of tire 2 rotation speed is based on a weightbearing upon the external valve 4 with force applied on the externalvalve 4 perpendicularly to the rotation axis of the tire 2 directly bythe excentrifugal force directly proportional to the rotation speed ofthe tire 2. At higher speed, the excentrifugal force is higher, andmakes the opening of the external valve 4 easier or harder according tothe orientation of the force in the direction of opening or closing thevalve 4. When the speed and the excentrifugal force are lower, theeffect is reverse.

The first sensors 8 and the second sensors 9 can send the informationabout the tire 2 state to a computer that might be a part of the controlsystem located in the car. The computer processes the information andcan notify the vehicle operator visually or acoustically.

EXAMPLE 6

The inside of the chamber 1 is filled with the air from the outsideenvironment at the moment when it is not deformed. At deformationcorresponding to a correctly inflated tire 2 the chamber 1 is notsubstantially deformed and the pressure inside the chamber 1 does notsubstantially increase. On the other hand, when the tire 2 isunder-inflated, the volume of the chamber 1 decreases and the pressureinside the chamber 1 increases to a value higher than that in the insidespace 6 of the tire 2. The air from the chamber 1 is pressed into theinside space 6 of the tire 2 through the internal valve 3. At the momentwhen the chamber 1 is no more deformed it returns to its original shape,the pressure inside is lower than outside environment 5 and the chamber1 sucks air through the external valve 4.

EXAMPLE 7

Two parts of chamber 1 are in the walls of the tire 2 mutuallysymmetrical to the plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the tire2. Both parts of the chamber 1 are interconnected. At least one internalvalve 3 connects the chamber 1 with the inside space 6 of the tire 2.During the load deformation of the tire 2 the parts of the chamber 1 aredeformed and the pressure inside them increases to a value higher thanthat in the inside space 6 of the tire 2. The internal valve 3connecting the chamber 1 with the inside space 6 of the tire 2 opens andthe pressure in the inside space 6 of the tire 2 increases. Location ofthe interconnected parts of the chamber 1 in the opposite side of thetire 2 reduces the possibility of inappropriate inflation of the insidespace 6 of the tire 2 in situations when the sides of the tire 2 areloaded asymmetrically, which causes accidental or inappropriateinflation of the tire 2. Even if the parts of the chamber 1 are deformeddifferently, the pressure will be the same in both. The pressure in theinside space 6 of the tire 2 will only be increased through the internalvalve 3 if the pressure value in the chamber 1 exceeds the value ofinside space 6 of the tire 2.

EXAMPLE 8

FIG. 7 a) shows a pump consisting of chamber 1 the wall of whichcontents a block 10 with shape memory and the external valve 4connecting the chamber 1 with the outside environment 5. The chamber 1is freely connected to the inside space 6 of the tire 2. Free movementof the medium between the chamber 1 and the inside space 6 of the tire 2is shown by broken double-sided arrows. Po is the pressure of theoutside environment 5, Pk is the pressure in the chamber 1 and Pvp isthe pressure in the inside space 6 of the tire 2. The medium freelyflows between the chamber 1 and the inside space 6 of the tire 2. Theexternal valve 4 is closed. Pk=Po=Pvp.

FIG. 7. b) shows a force Fe applied to the chamber 1 wall with the shapememory block 10, higher than the limit force Fh. The chamber 1 walls aredeformed and the cross section of the chamber has zero area at the pointof touch. The zero cross section divides the chamber 1 into two separateparts. The pressure in the part of the chamber 1 between the externalvalve 4 and the zero cross section of the chamber 1 is the Ps. Thepressure in the part of the chamber 1 between the zero cross section ofthe chamber 1 and the free connection with the inside space 6 of thetire 2 is Pv.

The point of application of force Fe shifts in direction from theexternal valve 4 to the place of free connection with the inside space 6of the tire 2, while the force Fe is still higher than the limit forceFh until it gets to the position shown in FIG. 7. c). The place ofdeformation of the wall of the chamber 1 and the place of deformation ofblock 10 with shape memory and the zero cross section of the chamber 1shift simultaneously along the chamber 1. The block 10 with shape memoryreturns to the original state before deformation at the place whereforce Fe applied in FIG. 7. b). The volume of the space closed in thespace of the chamber 1 between the external valve 4 and the zero crosssection of the chamber 1 increases and medium from the outsideenvironment 5 flows inside through the open external valve 4. The flowof the medium through the external valve 4 is indicated by aone-direction broken arrow. Pressures Po=Ps. The volume of the spacebetween the zero cross section of the chamber 1 and the place of freeconnection with the inside space 6 of the tire 2 decreases and themedium pressure increases. Pressures Pv=Pvp>Po=Ps.

The force Fe in FIG. 7. d) is lower than the limit force Fh and the zerocross section of the chamber 1 disappears. The medium flows freelybetween all parts of the chamber 1 and the inside space 6 of the tire 2.The external valve 4 is closed. Pk=Pvp>Po. After full fade out of forceFe the chamber 1 returns to the state shown in FIG. 1. a). The pressuresPk=Pvp>Po. The pressure inside the common space of the chamber 1 and theinside space 6 of the tire 2 has risen proportionally to the mediumclosed in these spaces.

EXAMPLE 9

FIG. 8. a) shows a pump consisting of the chamber 1, the wall of whichcontains the block 10 with shape memory, internal valve 3, connectingthe chamber 1 with the inside space 6 of the tire 2. The chamber 1 isfreely connected with the outside environment 5. The free flow of themedium between the chamber 1 and the outside environment 5 is indicatedby a two-direction broken arrow. Po is the outside environment 5pressure, Pk is the pressure in the chamber 1 and Pvp is the pressure inthe inside space 6 of the tire 2. The internal valve 3 is closed.Pk=Po=Pvp.

FIG. 8. b) shows force Fe higher than the limit force Fh, which hasstarted applying to the wall of the chamber 1 containing the block 10with shape memory.

The chamber 1 walls are deformed and at the place where they touch eachother the cross section is zero. The zero cross section divides thechamber 1 into two separate parts. The pressure in the part of thechamber 1 between the place of free connection with the outsideenvironment 5 and the zero cross section of the chamber 1 is Ps=Po. Thepressure between the zero section and the internal valve 3 is Pv. Theinternal valve 3 is open and Pv=Pvp.

The application point of force Fe shifts from the place of freeconnection with the outside environment 5 towards the internal valve 3,while the force Fe is still higher than the limit force Fh until it getsto the position shown in FIG. 8. c). The place of deformation of thewall of the chamber 1 and the place of deformation of block 10 withshape memory and the zero cross section of the chamber 1 shiftsimultaneously along the chamber 1. The block 10 with shape memoryreturns to the original state before deformation at the place whereforce Fe applied in FIG. 8. b). The volume of the space of the chamber 1closed between the free connection with the outside environment 5 andthe zero cross section of the chamber 1 increases and the medium freelyflows inside from the outside environment 5. The flow of the medium isindicated by a broken arrow. The pressures Po=Ps. The volume of the partof the chamber 1 between the zero cross section and the internal valve 3decreases and the medium pressure increases. The medium flows to theinside space 6 of the tire 2 through the open internal valve 3. The flowof the medium is indicated by a broken arrow. The pressuresPv=Pvp>Po=Ps.

The force Fe in FIG. 8. d) is lower than the limit force Fh and the zerocross section of the chamber 1 disappears. The medium flows freelybetween all parts of the chamber 1 and the outside environment 5 of thetire 2. The internal valve 3 is closed. Pk=Po<Pvp. The amount of mediumclosed in the inside space 6 of the tire 2 increased by the amountpressed in from the chamber 1 through the internal valve 3 from themoment when the zero cross section of the chamber 1 shown in FIG. 8. b)occurred, till the moment of its fade out shown in FIG. 8. d).

After full fade out of force Fe the chamber 1 returns to the state shownin FIG. 8. a). The pressures Pvp>Pk=Po. The pressure in the inside space6 of the tire 2 has risen proportionally to the medium closed in thisspace.

EXAMPLE 10

FIG. 9. a) shows a cross section through the tire 2, its inside space 6,chamber 1, external valve 4 and the outside environment 5, the ambientenvironment of the tire 2. The chamber 1 is freely connected with theinside space 6 of the tire 2.

The bent arrow shows the direction of rotation of the tire 2, togetherwith the chamber 1. The external valve 4 is closed. Force Fe higher thanthe limit force Fh in FIG. 9. b) starts applying on the chamber 1 as aresult of deformation of the tire 2, the chamber 1 is deformed and itspart has a zero cross section. The gas from the chamber 1 is pressed tothe inside space 6 of the tire 2. The direction of compression isindicated by a broken arrow. FIG. 9. c) shows the chamber 1 divided bythe zero cross section into two parts, while in the first part ofchamber 1, which has passed the zero cross section and all the gas whichwas inside it before the deformation was compressed to the rest of thechamber 1 and to the inside space 6 of the tire 2, the pressure is lowerthan the pressure of the outside environment 5 and this part is filledthrough the open external valve 4 with gas from the outside environment5. In the course of deformation of the chamber 1 and the zero crosssection passing through it, all the gas contained in the chamber 1 atthe beginning of the deformation is compressed to the inside space 6 ofthe tire 2, and the empty chamber is filled with gas from the outsideenvironment 5 through the external valve 4. The external valve 4 getsclosed.

After that, all the chamber 1 is connected with the inside space 6 ofthe tire 2, as shown in FIG. 9. d). The pressure inside the wholechamber 1 with the inside space 6 of the tire 2 is higher than beforethe beginning of the cycle shown in FIG. 9. a).

EXAMPLE 11

FIGS. 10. a) and 10. b) show a part of the chamber 1, the wall of whichcontents block 10 with shape memory, non-deformable part of the chamberNk, an internal valve 3 connecting the chamber with the inside space 6of the tire 2.

Force Fe is applied on the chamber 1, shifting in the direction of thedotted arrow.

The zero cross sectional area of the chamber 1 compresses the medium andforces it into the inside space 6 of the tire 2 through the internalvalve 3. The zero cross section passes along the chamber 1. FIG. 10. c)shows the force Fe applied on the wall of the chamber 1 in the part Nk,which is not deformable. The force Fe no longer forms the zero crosssection and all the parts of the chamber 1 are connected.

EXAMPLE 12

FIG. 11. a) shows a part of the chamber 1, the wall of which contentsblock 10 with shape memory, an internal valve 3 connecting the chamber 1with the inside space 6 of the tire 2. Then there is a channel K goingthrough the lower wall of the chamber 1. FIG. 11. b) shows a section ofthis chamber 1 and channel K in a part of the chamber not deformed.Force Fe is applied on the chamber 1, shifting in the direction of thedotted arrow. The zero section of the chamber 1 compresses the mediumand forces it into the inside space 6 of the tire 2 through the internalvalve 3. The zero cross section passes along the chamber 1 until it getsto the position shown on FIG. 11. c) and 11. d). In this position thezero cross section has already passed the edge of the channel K, whichconnected all the parts of the chamber 1 regardless the size of theforce Fe. The zero cross section of the chamber 1 has disappeared. Themedium flowing through the channel K between all parts of the chamber isindicated by a slim bent arrow.

Industrial Applicability

The device according to the invention is applicable in the automotiveindustry.

1. A device for monitoring, maintenance and/or adjustment of pressure ina tire, comprising: a chamber with shape memory deformable for a periodof application of external mechanical forces when the tire rolls on aroad surface, connected at least by one internal one-way valve with theinside space of the tire and at least one external one-way valve withthe outside environment, wherein at least one wall of the chamber isadjacent to the inside wall of the tire.
 2. The device for monitoring,maintenance and/or adjustment of pressure in a tire, comprising: achamber with shape memory deformable for a period of application ofexternal mechanical forces when the tire rolls on a road surface,connected at least by one internal one-way valve with the inside spaceof the tire and at least one external one-way valve with the outsideenvironment, wherein at least one wall of the chamber is a part of aninside wall of the tire.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein alength of the chamber is longer than the optimum contact area of thetire with the road surface.
 4. The device according to claim 1, whereinchamber further comprises at least two separated and mutually connectedpartial spaces, arranged symmetrically at the opposite sides of thetire.
 5. The device for monitoring, maintenance and/or adjustment ofpressure in a tire, comprising: a chamber with shape memory deformablefor a period of application of external mechanical forces when the tirerolls on a road surface, of lengthwise shape at least partly copying theshape of the tire, connected with the inside space of the tire and withthe outside environment, at least one wall of which is adjacent to thetire wall or is a part of it, while a part of the chamber is deformableup to the zero cross section, wherein at least one chamber with theblock with shape memory is freely open at one end and comprised of atleast one valve at the other end or next to it, while the part of thechamber with the block is deformable up to the zero cross section of thechamber.
 6. The device according to claim 5, wherein said chamber iscomprised of at least one internal valve connecting the chamber with theinside space of the tire.
 7. The device according to claim 5, whereinsaid chamber is comprised of at least one external valve connecting thechamber with the outside environment.
 8. The device according to claim6, wherein a minimum volume of the part of the chamber at the endcomprised of the internal valve or the external valve is from 1 to 80%of the total maximum volume of the inside space of the chamber.
 9. Thedevice according to claim 5, wherein a part of the chamber at the endcomprised of the internal valve or the external valve is located outsidethe place of application of the external forces deforming the chamber upto zero cross section.
 10. The devices according to claim 1, furthercomprising at least one first sensor chosen from the group consisting ofa tire pressure sensor, tire profile sensor, chamber profile sensor,chamber volume sensor, a sensor reading the difference between of thepressure inside the chamber and the pressure in the inside space of thetire, or a sensor reading the difference of pressures inside the chamberand outside environment.
 11. The devices according to claim 1, furthercomprising at least one second sensor chosen from the group of tirerotation speed sensor and tire rotation acceleration sensor.
 12. Thedevices according to claim 1, wherein an internal valve and/or theexternal valve is connected to a control connected with to first sensorand/or the second sensor.